Are you Worried By The Thought Of Bankruptcy? If you’re in financial trouble, and you see no other way out, you may be considering personal bankruptcy. Personal bankruptcy exists so that you can get a fresh start should you ever need one. This article has some great tips and advice on the subject of personal bankruptcy.
Once you have filed for bankruptcy, you will have to do your best to build your credit all over again. Do not be tempted to allow your credit account to have nothing on it, so it will appear to be fresh. This will send a bad signal to anyone who is looking at it.
Instead of getting your lawyer from the yellow pages or on the Internet, try your hardest to find one with a personal recommendation. Don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of by predatory lawyers just because you are filing for bankruptcy. It is important to find someone trustworthy.
Evaluate your consultation with any lawyer by the way he or she handled the consult. Consider the length of your consult. If it lasted less than 15 minutes or it was with an assistant rather than an actual lawyer conducting the consult, this could signal that lawyer is probably not the best choice. You want someone that takes the time to handle your case personally, and you want to get your money’s worth. You should also shy away from those lawyers who pressure you with phone calls or try convincing you immediately after a consultation by getting pushy.
Speak to a bankruptcy attorney about what new laws may be going into effect before your bankruptcy filing. Bankruptcy laws constantly change and it’s crucial you know about them so you the process of filing for bankruptcy goes smoothly. Check the website of your state’s legislation or get in contact with your local office to learn more about these important changes.
Worried By The Thought Of Bankruptcy?
Remember to understand the differences between Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy completely wipes out your debt. All creditor relationships will be severed. Chapter 13, on the other hand, involves a five year payment period before any remaining debts are cancelled. You must know about the different bankruptcy types, and how each can affect you.
Know the difference between Chapters 7 and 13 bankruptcies. Chapter 7 will wipe your debts clean, meaning you will not owe what you file against. Chapter 13 requires you to agree to repay your debts. These debts need to be repaid within three to five years of the filing date.
Learn how Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy differ from each other. Take time to research this online and see the pros and cons for filing each one. If you do not understand what you are reading, talk to your attorney before making that serious decision.
If you are planning to file for bankruptcy, be certain not to transfer any of your belongings or valuables to another person. This includes taking your name off of joint bank accounts or other financial assets. The court will be looking for anything of value in order to repay creditors, and you will be asked under oath whether you have left anything out. If you do not tell the truth, you may be charged with perjury and could possibly spend time in jail. Remember, honesty is the best policy.
Once you determined that you want to file for bankruptcy, it is important that you figure out which kind is best for you to file. For instance, with Chapter 7 most of your debts will be relieved, and you can keep certain aspects. With Chapter 13 your debt gets reconstructed, and you are given a certain amount of time to pay it off.
Be highly skeptical of any debt settlement companies. If possible, avoid using one altogether. Often times, because you are paying them monthly, they will drag their feet on your filing to make more money. They are usually unregulated, as well, which makes it difficult to fight any injustices you may encounter.
When you are thinking about filing bankruptcy, always be honest about everything. Do not think that hiding assets or income will help your case for bankruptcy. It could turn out that the court may just dismiss your petition, and you will not be able to file again to have those debts listed.
If you are considering filing for divorce and bankruptcy, file the bankruptcy first. This could save you money in family attorney fees and make the financial aspect of the divorce much simpler. There are certain situations when this is not the best idea. Check with a bankruptcy lawyer before you do anything.
Many people look at bankruptcy as an opportunity to get out of paying off their debts and a good way to start over. But, keep in mind that bankruptcy is a serious decision, and one that should be carefully considered. Bankruptcy will negatively impact your credit for seven to ten years, and even if you think you can get by without good credit, there are hidden uses for good credit you may not know about. Insurance companies, landlords and even prospective employers usually do a credit check before doing business with you!
When it comes to personal bankruptcy, be sure that you know that your credit is not necessarily ruined for ten years. While this is commonly mentioned, there are many lenders who understand that there are good people with poor credit and can help people re-establish their credit in other ways.
Proceed with your bankruptcy plans even if you obtain new employment before your filing date. Your decision to file may still be justified. The time frame of your filing may be critical. If your filing is done before you earn a new income, you can calculate repayment means without taking that into account.
Now that you’ve come to the end of this article, you can see that filing bankruptcy is not so scary, as long as you know what you’re doing. Apply what you’ve learned here, and you’ll be in control of your finances once again. Enjoy the fresh start that you deserve.